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I. THE PORCHES WERE FULL OF SICK FOLK. The world is full of the spiritually sick — thieves, drunkards, harlots, proud, covetous, etc.

II. THESE SICK FOLK WERE FULL OF EXPECTANCY ALL THE TIME. So are many now, but their expectancy is misdirected. "As soon as I get out of my present business I will reform"; "I am going to church oftener"; "Next week is my birthday; I will then turn over a new leaf"; "I will repent on my death-bed"; "I expect to be healed in the next revival."

III. THE SICK MAN'S HEALING DEPENDED ON HIS TURNING FROM THE POOL TO JESUS.

IV. HEALED THE MAN WAS; NOW JESUS BIDS HIM BE HOLY. Christ our physician: —

I. WE ARE ALL LABOURING UNDER THE MALADY OF SIN. This malady is —

1. Universal.

2. It pervades our whole nature.

3. It is attended by —

(1)  Degradation;

(2)  suffering;

(3)  loss of power.

4. It will issue if not arrested in eternal death.

II. NO MAN CAN CURE HIMSELF. This is proved —

1. By consciousness.

2. By experience. All efforts at self-cure result in failure or self-deception, or, at best, in mitigation of the symptoms.

III. NO MAN OR SET OF MEN CAN CURE OTHERS. This has been attempted —

1. By educators.

2. By philosophers.

3. By ascetics.

4. By ritualists. The world is filled by spiritual charlatans.

IV. CHRIST IS THE ONLY PHYSICIAN.

1. He secures the right of applying the only effectual remedy by propitiating the justice of God, and securing liberty of access to the soul for the Holy Spirit.

2. He sends that Spirit as the Spirit of life and strength. As the constitution is radically affected, a radical cure is necessary, which can only be effected by a life-giving Spirit.

3. The cure is certain and permanent. It results in immortal vigour, beauty, and strength.

4. This Physician is accessible to every one at all times. He requires no preparation, and will receive no recompense.Inferences:

1. The duty of every one to apply to Him for cure.

2. The reason why any are not cured must be in them, not in Him.

3. The duty of making this Physician known to others.

(C. Hodge, D. D.)

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KJV: After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

WEB: After these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.